Time for the banks to clean up their acts

Since the start of the financial crisis, banking and the behaviour of bankers hasn't been far from the headlines. From bailed-out banks, to the Libor rate-rigging scandal to widespread mis-selling, consumers have been continually let down by the banks. So it’s no surprise that the banks have lost the trust of their customers and the confidence of the public.

Benefits and unintended consequences of financial markets reform

In response to the 2008 financial crisis and the world recession that followed, central bankers, regulators and governments have drafted numerous regulatory reforms and measures designed to minimise risk and maximise consumer protection in the global financial system.

Are we seeing a “re-coupling” between the emerging and developed world?

An interview with Marc Luet, Chief Executive Officer of Citi’s Consumer business for the EMEA region, discussing the impact of technology on retail banking, the future of the Universal bank and most importantly the “re-coupling” of retail banking conditions between emerging and developed markets.

Not quite sultans of swing

The EIU, on behalf of SunGard, conducted a global survey of more than 500 senior executives from the financial-services sector and the finance division of non-financial corporations to assess the impact of volatility risk on firms and their ability to cope with it.

World financial services outlook

The Economist Intelligence Unit periodically releases forecasts and outlooks for different industries. This article outlines some highlights from the EIU's latest forecasts for the global financial services industry.

Is everything rosy in the garden?

Islam allows a man to take up to four wives. Yet when it comes to finance it prohibits him from earning riba (interest) on his capital, or engaging in gharar (speculation) with it.

Own goal

Holidaying in Greece during its election and following that up with a jaunt to Germany the week of the EU summit, I anticipated a highly political vacation spent discussing the eurozone with a front-row seat to the action in the two countries at the heart of the crisis (yes, journalists can have twisted ideas of fun).

Not all in the same boat

The financial crisis and the low/no return environment that has followed have taken their toll on the European asset management industry.

On the rocks

For the past two and a half years, European Union politicians have been caught in a catch 22. They seem to realise that the only way to save the euro is a more integrated, federal Europe, yet they face such opposition from their counterparts at home and their citizens, who fear a loss of economic sovereignty, that they cannot take the steps needed to make that necessity a reality.

Shelling out, but not in Europe

Bellwether Europe brought together the well-heeled elite of the world’s financial community. Brothers of recently ousted French presidents rubbed shoulders with trillion dollar investors; future governors of the Bank of England mingled with future European commissioners; past Chancellors of the Exchequer ate nibbles with past Presidents of the ECB. All in all it was a star-studded affair (for the world of finance).

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